‘Flurry of Lawsuits’ Accuse For-Profit Colleges of Misleading Students
A lawsuit claiming that Westwood College misled students about the value of a degree and their likely salaries after graduation is one of several suits filed against for-profit colleges after release of a critical government report.
The Government Accountability Office report , released on Aug. 4, said 15 schools engaged in misleading recruiting tactics, spurring a “flurry of lawsuits” by disgruntled students, employees and shareholders, USA Today reports. Shareholders have filed securities class actions against at least five schools.
The Denver Post reported last month on the suit against Westwood College. The lead plaintiff, Krystle Bernal, owes $75,000 in school loans for a fashion merchandising degree and earns $12 an hour working as a bank teller.
Westwood College says the suit is part of an “attack” by a Florida law firm that has filed three other cases against the school.
Prior coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Plaintiffs Firms Create News Websites Where Potential Clients Congregate”
Updated at 10:42 a.m. to clarify that the suits are against for-profit entities.
